THE GLOBE\ \ Riot police keep Ibson at Flamengo \ The board is rushing to regularize him in time to face Atlético-MG \ Photo caption: IBSON TRAINS before the deal: the midfielder could return to the team tomorrow at Mineirão \ Pedro Motta Gueiros \ After a week of physical training, Ibson's presence yesterday afternoon at leader Flamengo's training session indicated his stay was imminent. Almost three hours later, vice president of football, Kleber Leite, confirmed the extension of his loan from Porto for another year. With Gávea in darkness, it wasn't possible to see much more about what transpired in the football department during the lengthy telephone negotiations, which were also attended by the midfielder's agent, Eduardo Uram, lawyer Michel Assef, and businessman Plínio Serpa Pinto from Rio. \ "We paid for the loan, no other players were involved, but the amount is an entirely internal matter," said Kleber, satisfied. "It was a tiring day, we gathered our shock troops and had the help of friends." \ Harassed, Juan says he is happy in Gávea \ Despite interest from São Paulo and a German club, both in a better financial position than Flamengo, the club's leadership should never be underestimated. Alongside Michel and Plínio, Kleber executed spectacular yet unlikely deals during his two terms as president, during which he signed Romário three times. \ "More and more, the player's will prevails. We have to thank Ibson for the red-and-black spirit he displayed when making his choice." \ Another target of harassment, Juan said that every proposal must be analyzed but that he is happy in Gávea, where the chance of winning an unprecedented title may bring him the greatest income. \ - I've had an offer and I turned it down. I'm fine here, that's what matters. \ Ibson too. With three more years on his contract with Porto, he'll stay at Gávea until July 30th of next year, the date that coincides with the finals of the next edition of the Copa Libertadores. \ - With faith in God, if we win, we will extend his loan once again - said Kleber Leite. \ Despite the desire to return to the competition, the board is working with short-term goals to ensure Flamengo is among the qualifiers by the end of the year. Therefore, they are in a hurry to get Ibson back in shape to face Atlético-MG tomorrow in Belo Horizonte. In a championship where every game is decisive, away games are even more so. Last year, Flamengo won only three of 16 away games in the Brasileirão. In this season's three away games, the team has already beaten Ipatinga and Sport and drawn with Grêmio. The current unbeaten run contrasts with the eight losses suffered in 2007. Before the results, it was necessary to change its approach away from home. \ "We're showing a lot of respect for our opponents. We're not taking too many risks, but we're not backing down either," said Kleberson, who could lose his spot to Ibson. "The best thing is to have a strong group, especially with attacking options that can knock the opponent out of our half." \ After years of battling relegation, Flamengo is beginning to change its mindset. From stadiums where defeat was almost certain, like the Olímpico and Ilha do Retiro, the team has now come away with four points. Mineirão is another venue where a visiting victory is considered "impossible," although that word doesn't exist in football. Much less for the red-and-black elite. \ THE DAY\ \ \ Kléber Leite confirms Ibson's renewal \ Rio - A relief for Flamengo fans. Midfielder Ibson, who missed the match against Náutico last Saturday due to his contract being out, will renew his contract with the club for another year. Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, confirmed the player's stay at Flamengo. \ "It was a tiring day, we gathered our shock troops. Ibson is staying for another year. Now, we're rushing to get him regularized for Wednesday's game against Atlético," he said.\ The director said that Ibson's desire to remain at Flamengo was crucial in ending the negotiations. Last week, Kléber traveled to Portugal to negotiate with Porto, the owner of the player's federation rights, to renew the loan.\ With the midfielder's confirmation at the club, Flamengo rules out any possibility of São Paulo signing the athlete.\ \ Léo Moura could be punished by Flamengo's sponsor \ Rio - Full-back Léo Moura could be punished by Flamengo's sponsor for his goal celebration in the 3-0 victory over Náutico. Even though he didn't cause controversy or offend anyone, the player is expected to be fined by Petrobras for lifting the club's uniform and showing a shirt honoring his fiancée and daughter. \ The club's contract includes a clause that provides for a fine in cases like this. Striker Souza had already been punished in the Carioca final for wearing his shirt inside out during celebrations. In addition to a possible fine, Léo Moura was also given a yellow card, and as this was his third yellow card, the full-back will serve an automatic suspension against Atlético-MG this Wednesday. \ \ Juan highlights the importance of away wins \ Rio - Leading the Brasileirão and boasting the best record since the championship was changed to a points system, Flamengo in 2008 is already attracting the attention of all its rivals in the competition. For left-back Juan, one of the differences is that Flamengo now knows it needs to win away from home as well.\ "We've been trying to play intelligently, respecting our opponents. This year, we've even won away from home in the Libertadores. We're working hard on this to help us fight for the title," he highlighted.\ \ Kléberson: 'We are vaccinated against 'hoopla' \ Rio - One of Flamengo's standout players in the victory over Náutico, Kléberson, who played in Íbson's place, says he is experiencing his best moment since being hired. \ "I always give my best, but this is an important moment for me. I'm in good form and need a run of games. The team needed me against Náutico, and I was able to deliver," he explained.\ The player doesn't think there's a hype atmosphere in Gávea. \ "We're already vaccinated against this kind of thing. There's no point in working hard and dedicating ourselves, and then messing up at crucial moments," he said.\ Kléberson urged his teammates to be careful in tomorrow's match against Atlético-MG: \ "We don't have to go out on the field as leaders; we have to think about each game to always get the three points. Atlético played well against Palmeiras. We have to study their team closely to avoid any surprises this Wednesday," he emphasized. \ \ President praises Caio Júnior \ Rio - Flamengo president Márcio Braga released a statement praising Flamengo's good start: \ "Last weekend's victory solidified the club's best opening campaign in the Brazilian Championship in the last 29 years. Flamengo is the clear leader, has the most efficient attack, and the best goal difference," the statement reads, praising Caio Júnior and calling for a change in the club's management model. \ "We must highlight the competence of Caio Júnior and the football department. The institutional reform proposal is already before the Deliberative Council. Only then will Flamengo be able to achieve lasting balance in its administration and finances, which is crucial for modern sport." \ \ Fla is the best in Brazil \

Marcio Guedes

Rio - Flamengo has reached the absolute top of the competition thanks to a combination of merit and a strong campaign that wasn't even marred by a loss to São Paulo. To say that maintaining the current squad will be crucial to winning the title is to state the obvious, but the truth is that no one, not even the passionate director Kléber Leite, can guarantee a full squad.

However, it would be important to retain some key players, the most important being the goalkeeper and the two wingers. Even in midfield, there's room for losses because there are replacements. It will be crucial to maintain the unity and determination of the players at Gávea, who, after the humiliation against América-MEX, are seeking a way to reconcile with the fans and their own wounded pride. And their quick adaptation to Caio Júnior's calm and balanced style has contributed greatly to this. \ The weak competition is also helping. In these first nine rounds, Flamengo has easily proven that it is the best prepared team for the championship. \ \ SPORTS GAZETTE\ Flamengo renews with Ibson for one year\ Luiz Ricardo Fini\ \ \ Sao Paulo (SP) - The Flamengo announced this Monday the renewal of midfielder Ibson's contract. After much discussion with the Porto board, which holds the player's rights, the Rubro-negro secured the extension of the contract. athlete for one more year. \ "Ibson renewed with Flamengo for one year. It was agreed today (Monday)," summarized the athlete's agent, Eduardo Uram. Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, also confirmed the agreement. \ Ibson's previous contract with Flamengo ended a week ago and, even without a contract with the club, the athlete continued training normally at Gávea, awaiting a definition of his future. \ From the beginning of the talks, Porto had made it clear that it had no interest in integrating the player into its squad. However, the Portuguese club expressed its intention to loan him to another European team. Hertha Berlin, in Germany, was even mentioned as a likely destination for the player. \ In Brazil, São Paulo publicly expressed interest in the player. However, Flamengo outperformed the competition and managed to convince Porto to let him stay at Gávea for another year. \ \ Suspended after celebration, Léo Moura may still be fined\ \ \ Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The desire to honor his family could cause problems for right-back Léo Moura. This is because the player lifted his uniform and displayed a shirt with the names of his fiancée and her daughter when he scored a winning goal.3-0 over Náutico and, therefore, could be punished by the sponsor. He also received a yellow card for the celebration. \ The behavior is prohibited by contract with Petrobras, the club's sponsor, and thus could result in punishment. Despite the club's guidance that the behavior not be repeated, the restriction has already affected other players.like striker Souza, who wore the uniform backwards after the final of the Campeonato Carioca. \ He also received a yellow card for his celebration, and along with the two other cards he received previously, he will also miss the match against Atlético-MG, which takes place on Wednesday in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The punishment, at least, guarantees the red-and-black star's presence in the derby against Vasco, on Sunday. \ \ Flamengo works to end agreement with Nike\ Gazeta Press\ \ \ Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Problems facing Flamengoto break the contract with Nike. Thanks to an injunction obtained by the multinational, the Rubro-Negro club remains obliged to wear uniforms bearing the logo of the sports equipment supplier. Flamengo's legal departmentcontinues to try to revoke the injunction so that it can start using Olympikus uniforms. \ "Flamengo filed a lawsuit terminating the contract due to failure to comply with several contractual clauses. There's no need to worry about that," assured Márcio Braga. \ In addition to talking about the disagreement with Nike, the president of Flamengo also took the opportunity to deny that he sang the anthem of rival Vasco during Roberto Dinamite's inauguration last week. \ "I respect Vasco a lot, I love Vasco very much, a loyal rival for over a hundred years. Now, there's a huge difference between singing Vasco's anthem. If I knew Vasco's anthem, that would be fine, I wouldn't be ashamed to sing it, but I don't know Vasco's anthem. The only thing I know about Vasco is that 'casaca' (sporting suit)," said the director. \ \ GLOBOESPORTE \ \ \ For Juan, Cruzeiro, champion of 2003, is an example for the leader Flamengo\ Left-back remembers that, in 2003, Raposa started the Brazilian Championship well and ended up with the title at the end of the year\ Fred Huber From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro \ Juan was pleased with the coach's praise \ Since the points system was introduced, many teams that started ahead in the Brazilian Championship ended up losing steam during the dispute, like Botafogo in 2007. A good mirror for Flamengo , which in the ninth round leads the tournament with a five-point advantage over the second-placed team, is Cruzeiro In 2003, Raposa managed a smooth campaign and comfortably won the championship. For left-back Juan, teams are beginning to understand that to do well in the Brazilian Championship, they need not only a strong team but also a good squad. "We have to do what Cruzeiro did; they started the championship well and finished well. I think the important thing is not to think too much ahead, but rather take it game by game. Many teams are strong in the competition, like Cruzeiro, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Internacional... Teams are learning how to play the Brazilian Championship; it's not just the 11 players, but the entire squad," he states. After the 3-0 victory over Náutico last Saturday at Maracanã, Juan was one of the players most praised by coach Caio Júnior. This is reason for the player to feel even more motivated. "Praise is always good, it gives even more motivation. It wasn't one of my best matches, but I tried really hard," he says. One of Flamengo's key players, Juan, assures us that he has no offers to leave during this European transfer window. But if one arrives... If there is an offer, we will analyze it. I've had offers before and I preferred to stay at Flamengo. Caio Júnior goes to 'Bem, Amigos!' and celebrates Ibson's renewal\ Coach is informed shortly before the program begins that the midfielder will stay for another year at Flamengo\ GLOBOESPORTE.COM Sao Paulo \ Flamengo's coach was one of the special guests on SporTV's "Bem, Amigos!" program this Monday. And before entering the studio, Caio Júnior was informed by host Luis Roberto that Ibson had renewed his loan contract for another year (watch the coach's reaction below). In addition, the red-and-black manager spoke about the team's excellent form in the Brasileirão. and even about Fluminense's defeat in the Libertadores final .\ \ \ Ibson stays at Fla for another year\ Kléber Leite celebrates and says he is now rushing to regularize the player for Wednesday's game against Atlético-MG\ Fred Huber From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro \ Ibson stays at Flamengo for another year \ Flamengo confirmed early Monday evening that midfielder Ibson will stay at the club for another year, on loan. After a long meeting with representatives from Porto, which holds the player's federation and financial rights, vice-president of football, Kléber Leite, made the final decision in Gávea. "It was a tiring day, we gathered our shock troops. Ibson will stay for another year. Now, we're rushing to get him registered for Wednesday's game against Atlético." The director said that Ibson's desire to stay at Flamengo was crucial in concluding the negotiations. "We're very happy, everything is resolved. What prevailed was his desire to stay with us for another year. Porto understood, and we didn't even need to release any players." With Ibson's stay confirmed, Flamengo maintains the core of the team that won this year's Campeonato Carioca. At least until the end of the international transfer window, there is still the possibility of someone leaving, but the board is trying to hold on to all the starters.\ \ The team's next match is on Wednesday, against Atlético-MG, at Mineirão, in the 10th round of the Brazilian Championship. . Rede Globo broadcasts live, except for Belo Horizonte, and GLOBOESPORTE.COM follows in Real Time.\ \ \ \ Juan: 'Wednesday we have another final'\ Left-back believes that the team's offensive strength lies in the collective\ Fred Huber From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro \ The match against Atlético-MG, this Wednesday, in Belo Horizonte, will be another challenge for Flamengo try to prove that he is not the leader of the Brazilian Championship by chance. The team's goal is to maintain or even increase its lead at the top of the table . For left-back Juan, the important thing is for Fla to think game by game and not let the rhythm drop. \ \

"The more points we accumulate now, the better. But we have to stay calm and take it game by game. On Wednesday, against Atlético, we have another final. We knew it would be difficult to reach our current position, but we're doing it. Being the leader is a responsibility everyone would like to have. We have to maintain this pace to stay ahead, with a chance of winning the title." Although Galo currently sits in 11th place with 15 points, Juan believes that their opponent deserves full respect at home. The full-back, however, assures that the team heads to Belo Horizonte aiming to return to Rio with all three points. "Every game is different; we don't know what will happen, but we'll do everything we can to leave with the victory." Flamengo's attacking numbers give the players confidence in a good result away from home. The team has scored 21 goals in nine games and also leads in this category. Juan believes that Flamengo's offensive strength lies in its collective strength. "Our greatest strength is the collective strength." Caio gives his players freedom to attack, everyone has the ability to get there and finish. I really like playing this way. Kleberson says Fla is vaccinated against overconfidence\ Elimination from the Libertadores against América-MEX serves as an example for the team not to lose focus in the Brazilian Championship\ Fred Huber From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro \ Kleberson is getting back to his old ways \ Gávea experienced this Monday the great atmosphere of leader of the Brazilian Championship Many children attended the training session, and the media presence was once again huge. The mood is one of great optimism regarding Flamengo's start. , but the players guarantee that there will be no "fuss" within the team. Midfielder Kleberson recalled that Flamengo recently experienced a major disappointment in the Libertadores and is vaccinated against overconfidence. - We're vaccinated, we had a surprise in the Libertadores. We have to focus and play every match as if it were a matter of life or death. We're taking it step by step. Last year, our number of away wins was a problem, but this year we've already improved that. If we can maintain that, it will be great. - Kleberson says that the key to Flamengo's performance not falling off in the Brasileirão is to focus only on the next game. He points out that another club could make a run, like Flamengo did in 2007, and threaten the current leader. - We don't have to go into the field as leaders; we have to think about each game, get the three points. Suddenly, someone could make a run, like Flamengo did last year, and that would complicate things for us. Leo Moura risks being punished for lifting his shirt when scoring a goal\ Contract with the sponsoring company provides for a fine in these cases\ From news agencies In Rio de Janeiro \ Leo Moura pays tribute to his fiancée and daughter \ Leo Moura's goal celebration in Flamengo's victory 3-0 over Náutico On Sunday, there was no controversy, and it didn't offend anyone, but the player risks being punished for it. Lifting his club uniform and revealing a shirt honoring his fiancée and daughter is likely to result in a fine from Petrobras, Flamengo's sponsor. The contract with Flamengo includes a clause that provides for a fine if this occurs. In the final of the Campeonato Carioca, striker Souza was the victim for wearing his shirt inside out. Flamengo says it has advised its players not to lift their shirts during celebrations, but has not yet been notified by the sponsor, which claims its brand should be highlighted during the celebrations. In addition to the potential fine from the company, the celebration earned Leo Moura a yellow card, as FIFA stipulates that players cannot lift their shirts during celebrations. The warning was the player's third in the Campeonato Brasileiro, meaning he is suspended for the match against Atlético-MG. , next Wednesday, in Belo Horizonte.\ \ \ \ Flamengo has the best start in the history of the Brasileirão in the points-based era\ After 9 rounds, the team has 22 points and a 5-point lead over the runner-up. Cruzeiro had a better start in 2003: 21 points and a 2-point lead.\ Joe Gonzalez From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in São Paulo \ Obina and Kleberson celebrate Saturday's victory \ It's still just the beginning of the Brazilian Championship , but Flamengo fans is already starting to get excited about its lead in the standings. And with good reason. Of the nine rounds played, Flamengo has topped the table in six. What's more: since the Brasileirão began to be played in its new format in 0, no other team has reached the end of the ninth round with so many points and with such a lead. With 9827,00 points, Flamengo has already opened up a five-point gap over second-place Cruzeiro. . Leader immediately after its debut, the Rio de Janeiro team regained its position in the fifth round and never let go. After this past weekend, with the defeats of Cruzeiro, Grêmio and Palmeiras' draw , Fla, who beat Náutico by a 0-9865,00 victory on Saturday, took off. \ Until then, the team with the best start to the Brazilian Championship had been Cruzeiro. In 2003, Raposa had 22 points after nine games – one less than Flamengo has today. \ With the win-loss pattern of the first matches, it's common for championships to start evenly, with no team emerging. In the five previous editions, two teams reached the end of the ninth round with the same score three times. That 0 Cruzeiro was the one with the best lead. After nine games, they were two points ahead of Internacional: 9863,00 to 0. Flamengo now has five...\ \

\ THE BRAZILIANS AFTER 9 ROUNDS \ 2008 1) Flamengo - 22 points 2) Cruzeiro - 17 \ 2007 1) Botafogo - 18 2) Sao Paulo - 17 \ 2006 1) Sao Paulo - 19 (balance 9) 2) Fluminense - 19 (balance 6) \ 2005 1) Ponte Preta - 20 (balance 9) 2) Fluminense - 20 (balance 8) \ 2004 1) Criciuma - 18 (balance 6) 2) Sao Paulo - 18 (balance 4) \ 2003 1) Cruzeiro - 21 2) Internacional - 19 \

\ \ THROW\ \ Ibson renews and will stay at Flamengo for another year\ After a meeting, the Rubro-Negro board announces the end of the soap opera\ Ibson has already scored four goals in this Brazilian Championship (Gilvan de Souza)\ LANCEPRESS! \ Flamengo fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Ibson, one of the club's standouts, will stay with the club for at least a year. \ After rumors that the player would go to São Paulo or return to Porto, Kleber Leite confirmed the renewal with the midfielder.\ "His will and his red-and-black spirit prevailed. Uram was also fundamental in this process. The biggest challenge in keeping him was the competition. São Paulo and a German club (Hertha Berlin) were interested," said the director. \ In the Brasileirão, Ibson has already scored four goals and has been a key player in coach Caio Jr.'s scheme. Therefore, the board will try to quickly resolve the player's situation. \ "The challenge now is to try to get him in for the game against Atlético-MG. It all depends on the documentation, but I think we'll get it," said Kleber Leite. \ if (!(partnerdomain)){OAS_AD('x10');} \ Juan assures that he will not leave with any proposal\ The full-back says that other offers have already arrived, but none have been tempting.\ Valued, Juan intends to stay in Gávea if he doesn't receive a good offer from abroad (Credit: Cleber Mendes)\ LANCEPRESS! \ Alongside Léo Moura, left-back Juan is considered one of those responsible for the excellent form Flamengo is currently enjoying: leading the Brazilian Championship with 22 points, five points more than their closest rival in the standings.\ And with the European transfer window wide open at this time of year, Juan could be the target of significant European investment. However, the player assures that not just any offer will lure him away from Gávea.\ "If I receive an offer, it will need to be analyzed. Only then will I know if it's worth it. I've had other opportunities to leave, but I didn't," the player said.\ if (!(partnerdomain)){OAS_AD('x10');} \ \ Flamengo: an unpleasant visitor in 2008\ Juan and Kleberson believe that the difference in 2007 was due to away performance.\ Juan praised the red-black team's attitude away from home (Credit: Cleber Mendes)\ LANCEPRESS! \ More of a leader than ever in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo is managing to surpass the excellent campaign it had in 2007 when it finished third with 61 points.\ With 22 points currently in just nine rounds, the team from Gávea has a difference that is praised by its own players: its good record away from home.\ "The Brasileirão is very complicated, and I didn't expect us to have this five-point lead. We started winning away from home, something we lacked in 2007," said Juan.\ The speech is sharp and is repeated by midfielder Kleberson.\ "We're trying to repeat our 2007 campaign, but this year we're better away from home. Last year's performance was a hindrance," he said.\ Whether at home or away, Juan explains what the red-black team's approach should be.\ "We need to play intelligently, imposing our own rhythm. That's what we've lacked in other championships. We're working on winning away from home, which is very important in the Brazilian Championship," he concluded.\ \ \ Caio Junior praises Fla's versatility\ Coach is pleased to have players in different positions\ LANCEPRESS! \ Flamengo has attracted attention not only for its good position in the Brazilian Championship table, in which it is the leader, but also for the versatility of its squad, which has several quality players for all positions.\ "I think it's important to have players with different characteristics. At Flamengo, for example, they say Souza and Obina are the same. But they're not. Souza plays pivot and holds the ball. Obina plays more centrally," Caio Junior told SporTv.\ \ \ Marcio Braga says he doesn't know how to sing Vasco's anthem\ Flamengo president says video was just a joke\ Marcio Braga was present at the inauguration of Dinamite (Credit: Gilvan de Souza)\ LANCEPRESS! \ Flamengo president Marcio Braga denied having sung Vasco's anthem at Roberto Dinamite's inauguration. An online video shows the Flamengo president singing his rival's anthem. \ "The online video is a bad joke. I can sing the América and Botafogo anthems. I admit I don't know the Fluminense and Vasco anthems. If I knew Vasco's anthem, I wouldn't be ashamed to sing it," Márcio Braga told Rádio Brasil.\ if (!(partnerdomain)){OAS_AD('x10');} \ \ Marcinho Case: Assef denies statements\ The manager emphasizes that he only informed that Marcinho had lent the car\ Michel Assef denies Marcinho's involvement in the accident (Credit: Sergio Moraes)\ Bruno Braz RIO DE JANEIRO \ \ Flamengo's board chairman, Michel Assef, denied making any statement that would have indicated supporter Marcinho's involvement in the accident that occurred last Thursday in the Rocinha favela. The director emphasized that he only stated that the player's car was borrowed.\ "At no point did I say that Marcinho was involved in the accident. I just said that it couldn't have been him because he had lent the car to him. Well! If he didn't have the car, he's not involved at all! If the car was with his friend, his aunt, or whoever, that's their problem," he said.\ Informed by LANCENET! that he would have to give a statement, Assef did not seem worried and said he would do so without the slightest problem. \ "One says someone died, another says they didn't. Then they say there was a Flamengo player involved, and then they say it was Marcinho. Well! If Marcinho wasn't with the car, it could have been any player, except him, that's obvious! Now, if the friend took the car to the pagode, the spiritualist center, or wherever, that's not the player's problem. This is all a fuss," he complained, later confirming that two police officers went to Gávea to investigate the case this Monday morning.\ Michel Assef had previously explained that, if the involvement of Marcinho's car in the accident is in fact proven, he cannot be held responsible because the crime is not transferred and only the person who commits the crime is responsible for it.\